How Biafra existed for 962 days

Almost 50 years ago on May 30, 1967, Nigerian army officer Odumegwu Ojukwu proclaimed the independence of Republic of Biafra, area mainly inhabited by the Igbo people.

The establishment of the independent state in the south of Nigeria caused the civil war, that resulted in the deaths of between one to three million people.

Less than two months after Biafra declared its independence, diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis fell apart. On July 6, 1967, the federal government in Lagos launched a full-scale war.

The Nigerian military expected the quick victory and surrounded Biafra. The Nigerian Navy also established a sea blockade that denied food, medical supplies and arms, again impacting Biafran soldiers and civilians alike.

Biafra, in spite of the lack of resources and international support, stood firm denying to surrender.

However, the Nigerian soldiers continued to slowly take territory, and on January 15, 1970, the self-proclaimed state surrendered when its army commander General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu fled to another country.

Pro-Biafran activists renewed protests last year following the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, one of the leaders of the movement.

Kanu, who was arrested in October, 2015, is standing trial on six counts of treasonable felony charges.

President Muhammadu Buhari in his first maiden media chat stated that the IPOB leader cannot be released because of the fears that he may jump the bail and flee to the United Kingdom.